GENERAL CARE OF CATTLE. 339 



As the time of parturition approaches espe- 

 cial attention is demanded. If the time of the 

 year is late winter or early spring, and the 

 animal shows the lassitude and general weak- 

 ness of the system so generally incident to this 

 time of year, it is well to fortify the system by 

 a little toning up. For this purpose a little 

 grain fed daily for three to four weeks before 

 calving is the best tonic. It is not desirable to 

 feed anything that is heating, and therefore 

 chopped oats, wheat bran, or middlings, with a 

 little oil-cake or flaxseed, is most desirable. 

 Nature is generally at a low ebb at this period 

 and this course has been found very desirable 

 with mares and other animals as well as cows. 

 If, however, the period falls a little later an 

 exactly opposite danger is to be apprehended. 

 When the new r vigor of the spring and early 

 summer is abroad in the land, and the animals 

 are lusty and full-blooded from the abundance 

 of rich pasturage, the blood is often in a fever- 

 ish condition, and if some cooling anti-febrile 

 remedy is not giyen at the time of calving, 

 puerperal or milk-fever is very likely to ensue. 

 May and June are the months in which this 

 much-dreaded disease is most likely to attack 

 the cows, and during those months it should be 

 most carefully guarded against. It is most 

 liable to attack those that are in high flesh and 

 that are large milkers, and where these condi- 



